“I’ll always respect [Guillen] as a person and give him credit that’s due,” Jenks said. “But I want to play for a manager who trusts his relievers, regardless of what’s going on.

“With the way Ozzie was talking this winter and the way he treated me, I don’t want to fight with the guy. How many times did he question my ability, and then saying how he would love to have me back, but I would have to come to Spring Training and fight for the closer’s role like anyone else?

“Why would I come back to that negativity?” Jenks said. “I’m looking forward to playing for a manager who knows how to run a bullpen.”

Also,

According to Jenks, the White Sox offered two years at $10 million after the Winter Meetings and the team then asked for an answer on the morning before the initial agreement was reached with Crain. The White Sox source said the organization spoke with Jenks’ agent before Crain was signed, but no offer was made. It simply was a conversation about expectations.

Other teams besides Boston had interest. Jenks listed those opportunities from closing for Tampa Bay to starting — yes, starting — for the Texas Rangers. Jenks was a starter for five Minor League seasons with the Angels before being converted to the bullpen when joining the White Sox.

November 8, 2010

… [Paul] Konerko‘s options appear to be down to three teams: The White Sox, Rangers and a surprise team to make the cut, the Rays.

And maybe the Giants might be willing to consider Konerko, although Aubrey Huff would return at a much more affordable price. Konerko would probably be up for it. The Giants do have spring training in Scottsdale, where Konerko lives. …

May 7, 2010

So far, Konerko is doing well. It’s his team that isn’t. Could that mean Konerko is on his way out of town in a midseason trade? He won’t talk about that, or about his contract, which runs out at the end of this season. As a 10-and-5 player, Konerko could veto any trade.

This is the last year of Konerko’s five-year, $60MM contract, so a budget-conscious contender would just have to take on two or three months’ worth of Konerko’s $12MM 2010 salary without making a long-term commitment. Konerko could fit right in on a team like the Rays — they have a hole at DH with the struggling Pat Burrell, their minor league system is deep enough to spare a decent prospect even for a short-term rental player, and in Konerko, they get a veteran right-handed bat who knows AL pichers well and has lots of postseason experience. Konerko has the right to veto a trade, but he might welcome the chance to join a pennant contender like Tampa Bay.

”I’m shocked,” Dye told the Sun-Times. ”I really am in disbelief, but what can I do?”

… ”I still feel like I’m a productive player and feel like I can contribute, but teams want me as a backup player, and that’s something I’m not ready to do,” Dye said. ”I feel undervalued, basically. I don’t think I have to go out there and prove anything to anyone. My numbers the last five or six years show I can help someone.”

… ”There’s nothing close,” Dye said. ”Still a few teams calling, couple teams made offers, but nothing really worth it. Anaheim made an offer, but they could only offer me 200-250 at-bats. Toronto made an offer; they wanted me to play right field every day, but the money was ridiculous.”

… ”I want to play every day,” Dye said. ”Cleveland was interested but never made an offer. Tampa was supposed to call, and we’re still trying to work that out. There have been offers, but like I said, nothing worth it.”

Sources with Tampa Bay and the Sox said the sides had talked several times this offseason, not only checking out closer Bobby Jenks and his availability in a deal, but more specifically a trade that would have sent Carlos Quentin to the Rays for Carl Crawford.

Crawford has 1 more year on his deal. Quentin will be under Sox control for 4 more years.

Cowley also says the “The payroll will be in the low $90 million neighborhood when it’s all said and done.”

”To make that trade there is a lot of money involved. (Crawford) is making a lot of money. Personally, I don’t think we have enough money to cover that. Second, Carlos is younger and I think we can get Carlos to have more production than what he had this past year. Kenny hasn’t said anything to me, but … rumors are rumors, and that’s what the winter meetings are all about.”